ABSOLUTION

BASIC R.C. BELIEF

The remission of sins in Confession by an authorized priest, in the

Sacrament of Penance. The power to absolve is given to the priest at

ordination, but can only be exercised within the jurisdiction given to him

by his religious superior, except when there is danger of death.

In order for the absolution to be valid, the penitent must have

confessed all known sins, firmly resolve not to sin again and intend to

perform his penance.

Conditional absolution is given when the priest is not certain of the

conditions or dispositions of the penitent.

The punishment for sin is only partially satisfied; the remainder must

be satisfied by good works, almsgiving, indulgenced prayers and purgatory.

General absolution is given without confession when confession is

impossible.

Absolution is regarded as Christ's forgiveness.

The basis for absolution, according to THE EXTERNALS OF THE CATHOLIC

CHURCH (Msgr. O'Sullivan) is "the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the

merits of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, whatever good thou hast done and

whatever evil thou has borne." St. Augustine tells us that the words which

the priest says to the sinner, "I absolve thee", are infinitely more

powerful than the word by which Almighty God created the world (THE

CONFESSIONAL, Thomas Burke, O.P., Catholic Truth Society, page 9).

WORDS OF ABSOLUTION: "May our Lord Jesus Christ absolve you, and by His

authority I absolve you from your sins in the Name of the Father, Son and

Holy Spirit."

POST VATICAN II

In the Rite of Reconciliation, the words of absolution (reconciliation)

are: "God the Father of mercies has reconciled the world to Himself through

the death and resurrection of His Son, and has poured forth the Holy Spirit

for the forgiveness of sins. May He grant you pardon and peace through the

ministry of the Church. And I absolve you from your sins in the name of the

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

The words of absolution might vary, but the important phrase is "I absolve

you." (T.C.)

CHRISTIAN COMMENT

Though the Rite of Reconciliation uses more scriptural language, it is

still far from Biblical forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 10:14; I John 1:9;

2:1; Psalms 103:12).

SECULAR JOURNALS

In some Dutch churches, members of the congregation mentally express their

sorrow for sin while publicly reciting an act of contrition, then receive

absolution in a group from their priests (TIME, 10/3/67).

CATHOLIC JOURNALS

From CATHOLIC NEW YORK, 3/19/87. "GENERAL ABSOLUTION PROHIBITED IN DETROIT.

In a lenten pastoral letter on penance, Archbishop Edmund Szoka of Detroit

has declared that conditions for general absolution do not exist in his

archdiocese. Parishes holding sacramental communal penance services must

provide in advance for enough priests to hear confessions individually, he

said.

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